20160105 Andalusia City Council Meeting January 5 2016
Date: 2016-01-05 Type: Regular Meeting
Quick Summary
Council approved the December 15, 2015 meeting minutes as amended. The council authorized going out for bids on a 2016 street resurfacing project covering eight streets (approx. $290,000) with 2–3 alternate streets and funding from paving/capital as needed. Council agreed not to pursue an additional TAP sidewalk application in 2016. Motions were made regarding Resolution 2016-01 (abatement costs) and approval of a lease with Strong Steel of Alabama LLC; both were moved and seconded in the meeting excerpt.
Key Decisions
- Approved the minutes of the December 15, 2015 meeting as amended (hand vote).
- Approved moving forward to solicit bids for the 2016 resurfacing project covering eight listed streets (approx. $290,000) and to include 2–3 alternate streets; funding to come from paving funds and possibly capital funds if needed (motion passed by hand vote).
- Council consensus not to pursue a new TAP sidewalk application in 2016 because two sidewalk projects are already approved and funded.
- Introduced Resolution 2016-01 to assign abatement costs on three parcels (amounts listed in the resolution; transcript lists approximately $55.08, $52.68 and $70.68) — motion made and seconded (vote not recorded in excerpt).
- Motion made and seconded to approve a five-year lease with Strong Steel of Alabama LLC for a spec building in the industrial park (Industrial Development Board had approved the lease); lease terms discussed include tenant investment commitments ($1,000,000 first year; $1,250,000 second year, totaling at least $2,250,000), monthly rent over $6,000, and hiring at least 30 employees at roughly $15–$20/hour (vote not recorded in excerpt).
Notable Discussion
- Downtown parking/square ordinance: council decided to study alternatives and not take up the ordinance at this meeting, seeking less ‘heavy handed’ solutions and more study with police, city attorney, clerk and citizens.
- 2016 resurfacing: public works provided a prioritized eight-street list and estimated cost (~$290,000); alternates will be added to bids and evaluated based on bid results.
- Abatement report: three properties had abatement costs presented and a resolution was recommended to recover those costs.
- TAP sidewalk: council noted two sidewalk projects already approved/funded (one beginning next month on west side; second possibly later) and therefore will not pursue another TAP application in 2016.
- Strong Steel lease: discussed tenant’s planned investments, job creation, and product focus (building components for hurricane-prone areas).
Action Items
- Record/enter the approved December 15, 2015 minutes as amended.
- Solicit bids for the 2016 resurfacing project for the eight listed streets and include 2–3 alternate streets; review alternates after bids are received and allocate paving/capital funds as appropriate.
- Continue study of downtown square/parking problems and possible ordinance alternatives (further review before considering ordinance).
- Process Resolution 2016-01 to assign abatement costs on the three listed parcels (per resolution details).
- Continue finalizing/processing the industrial lease with Strong Steel of Alabama LLC per the terms discussed and applicable statutory approval steps.